
Tips to manage your seasonal allergies

The Pacific Northwest has some of the highest pollen counts in the U.S. This is especially true for alder trees and grasses. Even within Oregon’s cities, pollen counts can vary widely. They tend to be lower in places where there’s less vegetation, like Portland. In rural areas, pollen counts can be significantly higher. These are areas where there are more grasses, shrubs, and trees — especially evergreens.
Roughly 10%–30% of Oregonians suffer from allergies.2 It’s also common to develop them as an adult. Regardless of your age, here are tips to help reduce your allergies: 3,4
- Watch the pollen counts — The amount of pollen in the air tends to be higher in the morning. It’s also high on hot, dry, and windy days. If possible, plan your time so you can avoid being outside when the pollen level is at its worst. Visit pollen.com or download the app to view the current count in your area.
- Limit pollen on your face — Wear an N95 face mask while doing yardwork. Wear a hat when you’re outside. Also, wash your face more often to prevent pollen from sticking around your nose.
- Rinse your sinuses — Use a neti pot, bulb syringe, or squeeze bottle to squirt warm saline solution into your nasal cavity when your symptoms flare up. It can help clear out your sinuses, so you feel less stuffed up.
- Reduce pollen in your home — Keep your doors and windows closed. Leave your shoes at the door. Change your clothes when you get home. Shower before going to bed. Don’t let your pets sleep with you since they might carry pollen on their coats. Vacuum your home weekly. Wash your sheets once a week in hot soapy water. Also, use the dryer instead of a clothesline.
- Improve the air quality in your home — Consider buying an air purifier with a HEPA filter for your bedroom. If your home has an air conditioner, use a filter with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 11 or higher. These remove a higher percentage of allergens.
Our area of the country is known for its beautiful, lush forests. Along with those come high pollen counts and allergies. Before you stock up on more tissues, know that PEBB’s medical and prescription drug plans are here to help you manage your allergies. If you’re suffering, take advantage of our benefits so that you can enjoy a sniffle-free spring and summer.
2 RabbitAir, May 4, 2022
3 New York Times, April 21, 2022
4 Pediatric Northwest PS, March 31, 2014
Board member spotlight: Meet Greg Clouser

As the Board’s newest member, Greg Clouser hopes to represent the opinions of all PEBB members. He lives outside of the I-5 corridor and understands how members’ needs vary depending on location and type of work they do. For example, office employees might use their benefits differently than corrections officers who stand on concrete for up to 16 hours per day.
Originally from Ohio, Greg brings a unique background to the Board:
- He currently works as a Correctional Corporal at Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Umatilla, Oregon. He has held the position for 22 years.
- He served as either the president or vice-president of his local union for about nine years.
- He sat on an executive board for AFSCME Council 75 for about 14 years. While serving in that role, he helped to negotiate contracts with the state for about 12 years. When PEBB moved to a self-insured plan several years ago, Greg was involved in helping AFSCME members understand why there was a change and how it impacted members. He says, “Yes, we had great benefits before, but PEBB’s spending was out of control. We couldn’t keep going at that rate. Under the old plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield was pocketing a lot of our money.”
- He served on the PEBB Member Advisory Committee (PMAC) where he worked with the PEBB Board to influence their decisions.
In recent years, Greg expressed an interest in joining the Board. When a position opened up, he went through a three-month confirmation process. On February 15, 2022, he officially became a PEBB Board member. It’s a volunteer position, and his term will last four years.
Greg sees himself as an average person representing regular folks. He listens to reason. He didn’t come to the Board with an agenda. He just wants to make sure all PEBB members are represented when the Board makes decisions. “One of the biggest surprises since joining the Board is the cost of some medications. Just one or two members taking a high-cost medication can impact the overall insurance costs. The Board has to consider the pros and cons. Then, they can make decisions on which medications to cover so that the plan benefits the most members.”
Ultimately, Greg’s goal is to, “Keep high quality, good insurance at a low price for our members.” He understands people looking for jobs might find better salaries elsewhere. To that he says, “Look, we are the best employer in town because we have the best overall package. You might make four dollars more an hour somewhere else, but you’re going to pay much more in insurance. You’re going to pay much more for your retirement. And you’re not going to have as much vacation leave or sick time. That’s why we want you to work for us.”
What he likes best about serving on the Board is learning all of the details about insurance. He enjoys being a part of decisions that will help the State of Oregon as well as those outside the state. For his role with insurance, he welcomes member feedback. He says, “I often invite members to find better insurance at more affordable rates on their own. So far, nobody has come back to me with a better plan.”